Borge Christensen, Arroyo Parkway and Colorado Boulevard, oil on canvas; Gift of the artist, n.d. [Pasadena Museum of History]
“Pasadena Palette: Selections from Pasadena Museum of History’s Collection” showcases works depicting artists who lived and worked in Pasadena, portraits of notable residents, and scenes painted throughout the city, the museum announced.
The exhibition runs through December 2026 and represents what the museum describes as a rare opportunity to see paintings that have been preserved behind the scenes — distinct from the Fényes Painting Collection housed in the landmark Fényes Mansion that many visitors already know.
Founded in 1924 as the Pasadena Historical Society, the museum has been collecting art and artifacts for more than a century. Its two-acre campus at 470 W. Walnut St., at the corner of Orange Grove Boulevard, includes the 1906 Beaux Arts Fényes Mansion, which contains original furnishings and a significant painting collection. The new exhibition draws from the museum’s broader holdings.
“Pasadena Palette” is one of three exhibitions now on view at the museum. It runs alongside “Cha-Rie Tang: 48 Years of Artistic Innovation in Pasadena,” a retrospective of the Pasadena Craftsman Tile founder’s multidisciplinary work, on display through May 24. A third exhibition, “100 Years — 100 Images,” a collaboration with the Pasadena Society of Artists marking the organization’s centennial, runs through September 14.
The Paloheimo Foundation and Susan Stevens and Family provided support for “Pasadena Palette,” according to the museum’s statement. The Paloheimo Foundation has longstanding ties to the museum — the Paloheimo family donated the Fenyes Estate to the institution in 1970, giving it the grounds where it has been headquartered ever since.
The exhibition galleries are open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for general visitors, $7 for seniors. Members, students, and visitors under 18 are admitted free. More information is available at pasadenahistory.org or by calling (626) 577-1660.
The exhibition is scheduled to remain on view through December 27.
